We kicked off the evening with two hours of our usual good ol’ Grateful Dead tunes (see our Shows page for the setlist), feeding off of the energy of our fellow Deadheads, dancing and singing along.

Every time we play, we feel the Dead’s legacy, always inspiring us, helping us recreate the magic — of music merged with community — that made such a deep impression on us.

Ahead of time, via discussions with The High Council, we schemed up a surprise that, we were told by many folks later, was one of the biggest highlights of the night.

We kicked off the last song in our set, Eyes of the World, jamming on the intro, and playing the first verse and chorus. Then, during the jam between the chorus and the 2nd verse, The High Council joined us onstage. Together, we played the 2nd verse and chorus, jammed a little longer, and then we left the stage while The High Council played the 3rd verse/chorus, finished off the song with a wonderful jam, and segued, without stopping, into the first song of their 2-hour set.

SUCH a blast!

The High Council then kept the music going nearly non-stop, absolutely stunning jams exploring a variety of genres, and adding two more Grateful Dead tunes to the evening: Deal, and a smokin’ Viola Lee Blues.

The magic of that evening was nothing less than a collaboration between us — the band — and everyone else in the room.

When our microphones cut out on our opening song, Casey Jones, everyone filled in the gaps. When the dancers danced and voices sang along and the smiles gleamed, there was an ecstatic charge in the air.

As we mentioned on our Facebook page, we deeply relate to the sentiment expressed in this photo:

The quote — from Sam Cutler, former road manager for the Grateful Dead, featured in the wonderful documentary film Long Strange Trip — was Cutler’s description of the Dead’s self-defined ethos. They cared not at all for stardom and acclaim. Music was a holy pursuit, as Jerry Garcia says in the film, and Dead shows were the product of the entire community: band, crew, and Deadheads.

We’ve been having a blast getting ready for spring and summer shows, working up some songs we haven’t played before, and keeping the long, strange trip rolling along!

Our first show of the year…

5/21: Spring Family Fest

You know an elementary school is cool when their PTA chooses a Grateful Dead cover band to play at one of their fundraisers!

We’re excited to be participating in the Sunnyland Elementary PTA‘s Spring Family Fest at Boundary Bay Brewery on May 21st. At this all-ages (naturally) event, there will be more entertainment, as well as the great food and craft brew that the beer garden is known for.

This one’s a ways off and still in the early planning stages, but we are stoked to have been contacted by vinter/brewer Bill Kimmerly, who, in addition to making wine and beer, formerly traveled the world, attending over 250 Grateful Dead shows!

(* The date is deeply significant! The Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia was born on August 1, 1942 and died on August 9, 1995, and ever since his death, Deadheads celebrate Jerry’s life and music every year from August 1st through August 9th, known as “The Days Between,” with the name taken from Jerry’s and Robert Hunter’s last great composition.)

We’re incredibly excited to be a part of this inaugural event!

More details to come!

Sunshine daydream
Walk you in the tall trees
Going where the wind goes
Blooming like a red rose
Breathing more freely
Light out singing
I’ll walk you in the morning sunshine
Sunshine daydream